San Diego Sockers Game Notes
December 8, 2010 - Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL)
San Diego Sockers News Release
SOCKERS NEXT GAME: AT TIJUANA
SOCKERS (4-0) vs. Revolucion Tijuana (2-1)
DATE: Saturday, December 11th, 2010
PLACE: Estadio Furati, Tijuana
TIME: 7:00pm
BROADCAST: 619Sports.Net (live)
TV: none
PASL-Pro WESTERN DIVISION SHOWDOWN
The San Diego Sockers open a four game road trip with a trip across the border to Estadio Furati to take on Revolucion Tijuana. This is the first of four meetings between the local rivals, and the first of two contests to be held at Furati. San Diego recently capped a 3-0 homestand with an 11-5 win over the Louisville Lightning on December 4th.
TOTH, WUNDERLE EXPECTED TO START
As was custom last season, the Sockers will bring a younger roster across the border to face Revolucion Tijuana, protecting some of their older legs against the harsh playing surface at Estadio Furati. Eric Wunderle is expected to get his first start of the season in midfield, replacing 41-year-old veteran Paul Wright. In addition, reserve goalie Chris Toth, the son of long-time Sockers keeper Zoltan Toth, is expected to make his first start at keeper in place of Riley Swift.
CHILES, ROVIRA LEAD SOCKERS IN GOALS
As expected, forward Kraig Chiles is again thriving as the Sockers' primary target in the attacking zone, leading San Diego with seven goals in four games. Surprisingly, midfielder/defender Diego Rovira has surged into second place on the team's goals list with six, just one off the pace. Rovira had a hat trick in last Saturday's 11-5 win over the Louisville Lightning.
A GREAT FIRST IMPRESSION
The key to San Diego's 4-0 start has been their ability to start fast in games. For the third consecutive contest, the Sockers put four goals on the board in the first period, on route to an 11-5 win over Louisville. The Sockers have scored 15 of their 37 goals in the opening quarter, 40.5% of their total offense.
OPPONENT'S PROFILE: Revolucion Tijuana
LAST YEAR: 2-5 (provisional member PASL-Pro)
vs. SOCKERS: 1-3 in '09-'10
Last Meeting: Sockers 12, Tijuana 6 (2/26/10)
The Sockers and Revolucion Tijuana battled four times last year, as Revolucion earned their stripes as a provisional member of the PASL-Pro. This season, Revolucion is a full-fledged member of the Western Division, and their 2-1 start includes wins over California and Tacoma. Last season the Sockers went 3-1 against Revolucion, 1-1 at Furati. Tijuana is coming off its first loss of the season, a 13-7 setback to the Louisville Lightning on December 3rd.
STAR: Eduardo Velez, midfielder
Also the team's general manager, Velez is a crafty and speedy midfielder who has the ability to both score and set up his teammates. Velez ranks second on Revolucion through three games with six points (three goals, three assists). Velez scored hat tricks in each of the Sockers' last two games against Tijuana.
WATCH OUT FOR: Edgar Lemus, forward
Lemus earned player of the week honors in Week 3 of the PASL-Pro season with a four-goal game on the road, as Revolucion upset California 11-7 at the Stockton Arena. He has five goals through three games, tied with Mario Moreno for the team lead. The Sockers will need to be careful around the 24-year-old prankster Lemus, who according to his teammate Eduardo Velez "might push us in the pool or cut our hair while we are sleeping." The Sockers will want to stay alert when the dangerous Lemus is lurking in the box.
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Professional Arena Soccer League Stories from December 8, 2010
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